Agenda item

A representative from the Primary Care Trust will provide members of the Task Group with information on healthy eating issues and promotions.

Diane Talbot, Clinical Director, Leicestershire Nutrition and Dietetic Services gave a presentation to the Task Group on the prevention of obesity and the promotion of healthy eating.

Diane explained that obesity was not a new issue, but previous targets in 1992 and 2004, to reduce the obesity rate had failed.  Statistics showed that there had been a rise in obesity, which included a marked rise in childhood obesity. This was higher for children in inner city areas.

Diane explained that a new initiative, “Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives” was introduced in 2008, which aimed to combat the rising tide of obesity. Members heard that its initial focus was to address obesity in children.

Diane explained that there were huge financial costs in relation to the rise in obesity and sickness related problems, both to the NHS and to the wider economy. There were also considerable health risks associated with obesity, which included an increased risk of heart disease, strokes, Type 2 Diabetes, and a direct link between some cancers and obesity.

The Task Group heard that there was a plethora of social and psychological factors, which had resulted in the rise of obesity. These included changes in family habits and general stress levels and low self esteem. 

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, (NICE) had brought out guidance to address obesity, which was aimed at Local Authorities and partners in the community. There were a number of policy initiatives, which included the implementation of the Healthy Start scheme, whereby tokens were given for families to obtain fruit, vegetables and milk. There were also schemes such as the provision of free fruit and vegetables in schools, school travel plans and the Five a Day initiatives.

Diane explained that the NHS had introduced the “Change4Life” scheme which aimed to address obesity by introducing “the 8 behaviours” to enable people to “eat well, move more and live longer”. The Task Group heard that “Change4Life” was a social marketing approach into influencing change, and resources would be provided to help families promote healthy eating in their children. The “8 behaviours” were:

• Reducing sugar intake
• Increasing consumption of fruit and vegetables (“5 A Day”)
• Having structured meals, especially breakfast
• Reducing unhealthy snacking
• Reducing portion size
• Reducing fat consumption
• 60 minutes of moderate intensity activity every day.
• Reducing sedentary behaviour

Diane suggested that Leicester City Council and/or the Market could become a partner in the “Change4Life” campaign by implementing a number of strategies including market promotions of healthier food, providing a market stall for promotions of a healthy life style and by facilitating easier travel to Leicester Market.

Members heard that sometimes people were unsure how to cook or prepare certain foods and the Chair explained that at Calorie Killers, a men’s lifestyle group, cook and eat sessions had been held, which had been very useful. 

The following suggestions were made:

• To provide simple straightforward recipes, with a shopping list, or a students cookbook with basic recipes, which utilised market produce.

• To arrange cookery demonstrations in the Market

• To work with schools to promote the Market and its produce, and encouraging more schools to bring children in for Market tours.

• To investigate the possibility of Leicester City Council as a whole, becoming a partner with “Change4Life”, rather than individual sections.

• To set up a Healthy Lifestyle referral unit in the Market. 

• To use the Market to promote exercise and healthy eating.

• To promote the Market at Freshers Fairs, at University.

• To send a promotional leaflet to schools, reminding parents that they could purchase their 5 a Day at Leicester Market.

Members also heard that some stalls sold bowls of mixed fruit, vegetables and salad and suggested that it would be useful to raise awareness of these; as they would be advantageous in promoting the 5 a Day initiative.

Nick Rhodes, Head of Markets and Enterprise, commented that the Market was renowned for its food stalls. A new post of Food Ambassador had been created within the City Council, and one of their responsibilities would be to raise awareness of the food that was sold in Leicester.  A Member stated that assurance was needed over the quality of food that was on sale in the Market. He added that it was no longer as busy as it used to be and questioned whether this was because of the presentation or the quality of food.  Other Members stated that they considered the quality was good and that stall holders would be happy to give advice as to whether food needed to be consumed quickly or would last a few days.

A Member suggested that a wider strategic change was necessary. He felt that a cashless payment system would be very beneficial and also that the opening times of the Market needed to be reviewed. He added that solutions were required as a matter of urgency; otherwise the Market would lose its competitive edge.

The Chair suggested that the implementation of a cashless payment system could be covered in a future meeting of the Task Group.

Diane was thanked for her presentation.